Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Helen on July 15, 2008 at 13:36

Hey Tim, I'm happy to answer these questions - but as most of what we do is online, just want to check that my responses would still be useful?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tim Davies on July 15, 2008 at 13:39

Hello Helen

They definitely would... feel free to either answer in a reply to this thread, by e-mail - or I can arrange to give you a call and to talk through the questions...

Tim

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mog on August 19, 2008 at 13:07

At Canllaw Online we have been involved in the implementation of the Russell Commission in Wales (equivalent in England is the V portal) We've run a couple of residentials and helped to set up the youth led panel and constituted group "Gwirforce".

As part of this I set up a Myspace page where the youth panel could exchange ideas, post comments and generally as a communication tool in lieu of their portal being developed. The space was completely private and closed, administered by us and the only way in was through specific invite.

Unfortunately, the welsh assembly government were not able to join us as Myspace is a "banned" URL on their server. This is a hurdle i have come across repeatedly in my attempts to promote proactive online youth work in many LA's across Wales.

At canllaw we actively promote information for young people through our portal where YP from all across Wales via a network of 112 "digilabs" can access info, upload and contribute to the site and online discussions. My aim is to "signpost" services using SNS as I believe that if we are to work with young people then we should be where young people are, and that seems to be on SNS.

I've come across some negative attitudes to this concept in my work, which seem mainly based on a misunderstanding of how these sites operate and worries around security and safety. I have been lucky enough to work with wisekids here in Wales who offer a fantastic awareness and safety program as part of their many areas of expertise, and their attitude towards media literacy is extremely positive. Also as part of the Wales Media Literacy Network with Ofcom, I hope the message is starting to get across especially to Youth Workers and other professionals working with young people.

The future implementation of SNS within our organisation includes plans to develop writing groups as well as continuing to signpost young people to the resources and information they need in order to make better life choices.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by jon on September 27, 2008 at 11:42

Hi Tim,

We have recently been doing a lot of work with social networking here at Info-Nation in Swansea.

Has your service set up profiles on a social network?

Until now we have been unable to do this due to various restriction and policies as we are part of the local authority, however it looks like they will now allow us to set up profiles that redirect to our own network.

Have you build your own bespoke social network? Or built social networking features into existing websites?

We have built our own ning site i-Nation this is slowly being introduced to young people we work with in the centre and we are hoping to do a full launch in the next few weeks.

Doing things this way means we can control who has access to the site at young people have to register with the centre in person. We can also moderate the site ourselves and make sure the right safety information advice and links are all in place.

Do you offer training / advice sessions to young people on safe social networking?

Yes we do. We deliver CEOP's Thinkuknow progamme in local schools, and youth clubs.

We also have loads of internet safety information located next to every computer in the centre, as well as videos and other info on big screens in the centre.

Have you had staff training on using social networks?

All of our current staff have attended CEOP's thinkuknow training, however that concentrates purely on safety issues.

Do you use social networks to promote positive activities in your youth service?
Yes we do.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by jon on September 27, 2008 at 11:51

Oh and we have also worked with the Canllaw online using the Credu Portal.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Helen on January 28, 2009 at 17:21

Has your service set up profiles on a social network?

Yes, YouthNet has profiles on MySpace, Facebook and Bebo.

Have you build your own bespoke social network? Or built social networking features into existing websites?

We've used social networking functions within other sites like the ones mentioned, but also use other websites to create our own networks such a vbulletin for discussion forums, Ning for a closed social network on young people's consultation,
and realchat for our own chat rooms.

Do you offer training / advice sessions to young people on safe social networking?

Not at the moment, but we do have lots of content on our websites about safe social networking including netmates dos and dont's and meeting safely offline.

Have you had staff training on using social networks?

We have training on discussion moderation but it's mainly the marketing team who use external networks such as Bebo and Facebook. We are also a knowledge partner for Yahoo Answers - we have training for that.

Do you use social networks to promote positive activities in your youth service?

Yes, we use Facebook to promote our Respect? Campaign about improving perceptions of young people in through the media.

Are you engaging with social networks in some other way?

Not sure - let me think more about that one!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tim Davies on January 28, 2009 at 19:44

Hey Helen

Thanks for this :) This is great. Really interesting to see how YouthNet is working through SNS.

Also interesting to learn how you are a Yahoo Answers partner.

Tim

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Diane Law on February 4, 2009 at 17:33

Hi Tim
I have just set up a professional identity on Facebook, but not rolled it out yet. I want to make sure systems are in place with staff and they understand they are clear with the amended risk assesment (I think I sent you a copy of a version I got from Aussie), plus some protocols (do's don'ts) and then pilot it over the next few weeks with some young people we are already engaged with. we uploaded advice leaflet (which I 'm not sure y/p will necessaily read, but will also encourage workers to inform Y/P also

The idea came from thinking about my Master disseration subject about two years, just before you started the NYA research and an element of frustration on my part that Youth workers don't always disemminate information for young people out to them or promote opportunities. I hoped that using SNS might overcome this to so degree....but I could be niaive

The challenges have been setting the systems in place, considering the best options, convincing staff and I'm sure there will be many more once we start to go live. I can let you know

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Elaine Smith on March 4, 2011 at 21:21

Hiya Tim

My name is Elaine and i am a youthworker in a centre in Dublin, at the moment we have a  facebook pilot project running which involved picking certain groups and asking them if they would like to be involved in this pilot. We have set up a secret group and we chat to the young people online and also promote the organisation and the activities to these young people.

I am also writing my dissertation on exploring the uses of social networking sites for youthwork purposes and i was wondering if there was a chance to interview someone from this site  eh like yourself about the sterenghts and weaknesses of using these sites for youthwork purposes, i know thats a bit cheeky of me but i have learned so much from reading your report and anything else that you have written. I would be also willing to keep in touch to let you know how we have got on during this pilot

Thanks Elaine

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tim Davies on March 5, 2011 at 13:43

Hey Elaine

 

I'm sure there would be chance to interview and talk with different members of the site - just put up a blog post raising the idea and I'll alert people to it...

 

Tim

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Elaine Smith on March 9, 2011 at 15:16

Thanks a lot Tim

really appreciate that

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Craig Andrew Gilman on March 25, 2011 at 15:14

I was employed by the Church of England in Birmingham, to look after the online presence of the youth office b-inspired.

I'm the first Digital Youth Adviser to be appointed by the Church, 

 

As Digital Youth Adviser I've set up several social network profiles for our youth office - including several Facebook pages, groups and numerous events. We also have twitter and youtube accounts and are looking into creating mobile phone apps (android and iphone) as an extra. 

 

We tend to use Facebook for most things, which is quick an easy and means that there isn't 'yet another site to join'

We have had some social network functions on our website but they hardly got used - in favour of facebook. I'm looking at rebuilding our site though based on the Spruz platform which is so much easier to manage - even more so than Ning.

 

I am a CEOP Ambassador and run safety sessions for youung people, their parents, and clergy in the church.

 

I haven't had any training in using social networks - I don't need it. I'd be training others.

 

Everything we use social networks for is for positive engagement.

 

I want to develop more mobile solutions, with more young people accessing the web on their phones now. There is some great material from mobileyouthage.com about this stuff.

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page